Celebrating the achievements of alumni in Kazakhstan

When outstanding individuals receive a world-class education in the UK, the effects can last a lifetime. The Alumni Awards shine a light on the impact that alumni of UK higher education institutions are making in their chosen field and how this was sparked by their studies in the UK.
 
The British Council has launched the seventh year of a prestigious award celebrating the outstanding achievements of the UK’s international alumni around the world.
 
There are two award categories this year in Kazakhstan:
  • Professional Achievement Award – Recognising UK alumni who have distinguished themselves through exemplary leadership and achievements in their professional industry, and who can demonstrate the impact and scale of their achievements in their profession, and beyond.
  • Social Impact Award – Recognising UK alumni who have made an exceptional contribution and commitment to creating positive social change and improving the lives of others.

Timeline

December 2020–January 2021 Announcement of finalists
March 2021 Kazakhstan national-level winners announced
March–August 2021 Global finalist announcement and digital celebration
September 2021 Global Alumni Awards winners announced

The finalists and winners of the global Alumni Awards was announced in March 2021 and celebrated in a digital campaign that will raise the profile of their story and success. Award winners have the opportunity to raise their international profile, expand their professional networks, and to enhance their careers, through a professional networking visit to the UK (subject to global Covid-19 situation).

Meet this year’s Study UK Alumni Awards winners and judges in Kazakhstan

Professional Achievement Award

Saltanat Janenova – Assistant Professor at Graduate School of Public Policy, Nazarbayev University

University of Edinburgh

Meet our Study UK Alumni Awards winner in the Professional Achievement category – Saltanat Janenovna. She graduated from the University of Edinburgh. Today she is an Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy, Nazarbayev University, where she designs and teaches core modules for a Master’s in Public Administration, a Master’s in Public Policy, and a PhD in Public Policy programmes.

Social Impact Award

Akmaral Sman – Regional Gender and Livelihood Expert at FAO, United Nations, CACILM II project

Queen Mary University of London

We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Akmaral Sman, Queen Mary University of London. Her outstanding achievements paved the way for her to become the winner of the Study UK Alumni Awards in the Social Impact Award category. Akmaral is a regional Gender and Livelihood Expert at FAO, United Nations, CACILM II project. She co-ordinates the regional gender and social inclusion mainstreaming strategy in natural resources management.

Entrepreneurial Award

Galym Baitimbetov – Founder, CEO at AquaPoint LLP

University College London

Our nominee Galym Baitimbetov, University College London, was initially nominated for the Social Impact Award. However, the judges appreciated his contribution to the business sector and he was awarded the Entrepreneurial Award. Galym is Founder and CEO at AquaPoint LLP, where he develops the company’s strategy, works with investors and banks for fundraising, and manages a team of 15 people.

This year's judges

Eric Lawrie – Country Director British Council Kazakhstan

Eric Lawrie has worked for the British Council for many years in more than nine countries. His last posting was that of Country Director in Afghanistan. In his new post as Country Director Kazakhstan, he oversees a range of programmes which promote educational and cultural co-operation between the UK and Kazakhstan.

Eric Lawrie is a passionate believer that education and cultural relations are as important to international relations as politics, economics, trade and development. It is through collaboration between our education systems and the spaces we create for joint dialogue and sharing where we develop mutual understanding and an appreciation of what makes us similar and what makes us different. And it is in this space that the English language is unique as a truly global language both benefitting native and non-native speakers. He believes that access to English gives young people the ability to broaden their educational opportunities and create new aspirations for a country like Kazakhstan as it plays a more and more prominent role internationally. Eric has led on a number of joint UK/host government education programmes during his career to build quality assurance in the secondary and higher education sectors with a view to ensuring graduates are trained for the needs of the job market and have the necessary skills for employability.

Marat Raimkhanov – Independent Communications Consultant, Alumni Awards Winner 2018

Marat Raimkhanov has over 15 years of experience in public relations and corporate communications. He has worked in private PR agencies, state and national companies, international organisations, including the press service of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Samruk-Kazyna JSC, National TV and radio company Kazakhstan JSC, Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP). He has a master's in public administration from the London School of Economics (via the Bolashaq programme) and a master's degree in international journalism from KIMEP University (Kazakhstan). He was a Fulbright/Hubert Humphrey Fellow (2015–16) at the University of Maryland (USA) and holds a degree in Media and Communication. Currently, Marat is an independent communications consultant.

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